Kalahari presenting plans to Tobyhanna Planning Commission

Kalahari Resorts is presenting its preliminary land development plan for the indoor water park and convention center to the Tobyhanna Township Planning Commission this evening.

Kalahari Resorts is presenting its preliminary land development plan for the indoor water park and convention center to the Tobyhanna Township Planning Commission this evening.

The $350 million, 150-acre complex in Monroe County at Pocono Manor, is tentatively scheduled to open in late 2014 or early 2015.

The indoor water park, which would abut Interstate 380's northbound lanes at full build-out, will be built on the course's seventh hole.The convention center and hotel would be built near the current location of the sixth hole of the course.

The project would be completed in three phases. The first phase includes a resort with 450 luxury guest rooms and suites, a 100,0000-square-foot indoor water park, a two-acre outdoor water park, a 65,000-square-foot convention center, a 30,000-square-foot indoor theme park/arcade and 6,000 square feet of retail space including two full-service restaurants.

The projects is expected to create over 1,500 new jobs once completed and boost the Pocono Mountains $2.1 billion tourism industry.

An economic impact study prepared by Hotel and Leisure Advisors estimates that the project would add about 1,200 construction jobs and another 700 full- and part-time jobs during its first year of operation. Visitors to the resort are also expected to contribute over $18 million annually to the local economy.

Kalahari is talking with local officials about a possible Tax Increment Financing (TIF) plan to help advance the new development and pay for infrastructure including gas, sewer, water and street improvements.